Melbourne selected Taj Woewodin in last week’s AFL National Draft, and his Brownlow-winning father couldn’t be more excited.
Shane Woewodin won the 2000 Brownlow Medal for Melbourne, and the Dees swooped with pick 65 to secure Taj as a father-son selection.
The 18-year-old averaged 23 disposals a game for East Fremantle in the WAFL Colts, playing roles on both the inside and outside of the contest.
Shane found the whole experience of his son getting drafted “very special” despite waiting longer than expected on draft night.
“It’s been an incredible journey and just the start of it now for his career, but from a family perspective we’re incredibly proud, humbled and it’s overwhelming at times to see his hard work pay off,” he told SEN’s Whateley.
“Over the last two years and the start of his journey it’s been unbelievable, it was a special moment on draft night.
“It was incredible, until the name’s read out (you’re still nervous).
“We probably thought it was going to be done a little bit earlier, but Melbourne had a strategy in place too … his name was eventually called out with the last pick.
“It didn’t matter, number is irrelevant I think at any part of the draft, for himself, for the family, for his close mates who have been part of it as well for the last three or four years, very special.
“I’m incredibly proud for everybody.”
The Western Australian prospect won his state draft combine 20 metre sprint and looks to have the attributes succeed at the top level.
His father named the youngster’s two biggest strengths, while also discussing a weakness that he was “working really hard on”.
“I think his strength, which we’ve worked really hard on, is we certainly believe his leg is his strength and his ability to use the footy by foot.
“Certainly this year in particular, where his role changed and he went more as an inside mid, his craft with his hands was having to be really special and really clean, they’re two parts of his game that he’s worked really, really hard on.
“You have to be, as you know in today’s you can’t fumble and you’ve got to be really clean in the contest… and you have to be good by foot.
“Probably his (weakness) and all young kids I think is defensive intent… making sure you’re working hard both ways and your tackle pressure inside the contest.
“He’s working really hard on that right now to improve his game.”
The Demons also secured Jacob Van Rooyen and Blake Howes with their earlier picks as they look to kick off premiership defence.